Craft cannabis growers in B.C. sound alarm over survival of the sector

VANCOUVER — Craft cannabis growers and sellers in British Columbia want the federal and provincial governments to take immediate steps to protect the future of their businesses ahead of legalization expected this year.

The federal government has signalled it plans to make room for craft cannabis with a proposed micro-cultivation licence, but it hasn’t created an application process.

The groups, including the Craft Cannabis Association of B.C., want the government to urgently create a process so they can obtain licences and begin competing with large licensed producers for provincial supply contracts.

The groups also say a proposed space limit on micro-cultivation is too small and that packaging and labelling restrictions should be loosened so craft cannabis can distinguish itself.